Axially fastened, illuminated, fixture standoff

ABSTRACT

An illuminated rod standoff has a base with a recessed surface mountable to a wall, and an axially positioned fastener oriented normal to the recessed surface. The fastener engages a cap which centers a cylindrical sidewall resting on the recessed surface within a close-fitting peripheral edge. The cap closes an open end of the sidewall and provides, at mutual right angles, a pair of cap engagement features, one fixed to the fastener, thereby holding the cap securely to the cylindrical sidewall and the cylindrical sidewall to the base. The other feature receives a towel or tissue rod. A lamp is mounted on the base for transmitting light through the transparent cylindrical sidewall for illuminating a space.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a Continuation of a prior filed applicationhaving Ser. No. 10/117242 and filing date of Apr. 5, 2002 and entitled:Axially Fastened, Illuminated, Moisture Resistant, Fixture Standoff

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to bathroom fixtures and moreparticularly to such fixtures having lighting features.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] The following art defines the present state of this field:

[0006] Murphy, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 381,734 describes a submersible fishattracting light design.

[0007] Larson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,217,688 describes a combination ofspaced wall brackets adapted to be secured to a side wall of a vehicle,a baggage rack unit, means for removably supporting the unit on thebrackets, each of the brackets being in the form of a box housing,extending throughout substantially the entire width of the rack unit andbeing of relatively deep cross section and supported from the wall atvertically spaced points to make the brackets cantilevers of sufficientstrength to carry the baggage rack load, a source of light within eachbracket, the major portion of the bottom wall of the housing being lighttransmitting.

[0008] Woolley, U.S. Pat. No. 2,827,555 describes a combination lightingand rail fixture for clothes closets and the like, comprising anelongate frame having front and rear portions and means at its endsadjoining said rear portion for attaching it to a support; and glassenvelope carried by the frame at its ends and extending substantiallycoextensive therewith; and elongate, opaque shade having a substantiallyU-shaped cross section, said shade extending substantially coextensivewith and partially enclosing said light-producing means and beingarranged to block some of the light therefrom; and a garment rail havinga relative large surface per unit length, connected with the frame andextending substantially coextensive therewith, said rail being spacedfrom and located below the said light-producing means and being locatedwholly below said frame and accessible in a horizontal direction fromthe front of the fixture said rail having a diameter commensurate withthe diameter of the said tubular glass envelope, and being adapted toreceive and support garment hangers by which light colored garments hungthereon may reflect light from the light-producing means upward.

[0009] Nestrock, U.S. Pat. No. 4,569,689 describes a grab bar orhandrail system that not only incorporates its own spaced directionalillumination sources but also its complete electrical cabling. Thus,installation of the system requires virtually no special electricalcabling or conduit within the wall, such ducting being limited to thatrequired for a single end connection, or to bridge a discontinuity inthe handrail, as where the wall is interrupted for a doorway, window, orthe like opening. Illumination sources are provided within and as partof each supporting bracket, and individual electrical connection thereofto the supply cabling is made adjacent each support and within the grabbar. Provision is made for automatic transfer from house voltage supplyto standby storage supply, in the event of power failure, thus assuringthe maximum safety that constant illumination can provide.

[0010] Wojski, U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,553 describes a lighted curtainhardware assembly for a wall having an opening therein having a curtainsupport hardware device. The hardware device is mountable adjacent theopening, such as a window or door, for supporting a curtain in front ofand adjacent the opening without visually obstructing the opening. Thehardware device has a light mounted thereon. Electrical means areincluded for providing electricity to the light to provide an attractivelighted decoration to the window or door and adjacent wall.

[0011] Hixon, U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,024 describes a multipurpose toilettissue dispenser comprising: a housing having a front wall and includingmeans for holding a roll of toilet paper; means for holding a nightlight assembly; a pencil holder; and means for holding an air freshener,the apparatus further including means for attaching the housing to abathroom wall, the means for holding a roll of toilet paper including agenerally semi-cylindrical shaped recess positioned in the front walland a spindle for holding a roll of toilet paper, the spindle beingreleasably coupled within the recess, the spindle holding and permittingrotatable dispensing of toilet tissue when desired by a user.

[0012] McCall, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 6,00,658 describes a toilet paperdispenser in which a roll of toilet paper is supported on a rotatablespindle with a music box activated by rotation of the spindle. Thetoilet paper dispenser is equipped with an aromatic fragrance dispenserwhich is automatically activated by rotation of the spindle.

[0013] Von Schenk, U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,233 describes a cover system fortoilet paper to protect the toilet paper from dispersal by children andpets comprising a wall-mounted plastic casing completely covering upperand lower rolls of paper. The upper and lower rolls are covered byrespective upper and lower swivelable covers, each having a safety latchsystem. Each safety latch system includes a pair of button-releasablelatches with one button on each side of the casing and each cover may bereleased only by pushing both such buttons at the same time. The coversare light permeable and night lights may be mounted to the inside of thecasing or as part of each holder going through each toilet paper roll.

[0014] Schroder, EP 0851170 A1 describes a curtain rod in the form of atube in holders. In at least one end of the rod, or elsewhere within therod, there is a holder for a bulb or other light. A lead runs from thebulb holder to the outside of the rod. The holder may be externallythreaded to fit into an internal thread in the rod end. The bulb holdermay have a connection device, from which a lead passes through a slit inthe wall of the tubular rod. It may be possible to screw a lampshadeonto the external thread of the bulb holder.

[0015] The prior art teaches illumination in a curtain rod, tissue rod,grab bar, fish attracting bar, and in an assembly for supporting atissue roll. The prior art also teaches illumination of filials on acurtain rod, in a closet fixture and mounted on an undersurface ofstandoffs for holding a luggage rack. However, the prior art fails toteach illumination means mounted within a structural standoff forbathroom fixtures. This is most likely because the structural standofftypically is not robust enough to be made of glass or other transparentmaterial. However, the present invention is a solution to this needproviding illumination and structural strength in a standoff thatrequires only a single fastener to assemble. This fulfills the needsdescribed and provides further related advantages as further describedin the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention teaches certain benefits in constructionand use which give rise to the objectives described below.

[0017] An illuminated rod standoff has a base with a recessed surfacemountable to a wall, and an axially positioned fastener oriented normalto the recessed surface. The fastener engages a cap which centers acylindrical sidewall resting on the recessed surface within aclose-fitting peripheral edge. The cap closes an open end of thesidewall and provides, at mutual right angles, a pair of cap engagementfeatures. One of these features is fixed to the fastener, therebyholding the cap securely to the cylindrical sidewall and the cylindricalsidewall to the base. The other feature receives a towel or tissue rod.A lamp is mounted on the base for transmitting light through thetransparent cylindrical sidewall for illuminating a space or fordecorative purposes. Clearly, the prior art teaches the use ofillumination in conjunction with utility items such as curtain rods andbathroom fixtures. The usefulness of such items is well regarded. Thebenefit of placing illumination within the standoffs for a bathroomfixture such as a towel rod or toilet paper roll rod is that theelectrical components of an illumination circuit are secure from roughhandling and from moisture.

[0018] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide anapparatus and method of use of such apparatus that provides advantagesnot taught by the prior art.

[0019] Another objective is to provide such an invention capable ofillumination of one or more wall mounted standoffs for a towel or tissueroll rod.

[0020] A further objective is to provide such an invention capable ofbeing assembled with a single axially oriented fastener.

[0021] Other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following more detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way ofexample, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. Insuch drawings:

[0023]FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of the preferred embodimentof the invention;

[0024]FIG. 2 is a perspective view thereof as assembled, and

[0025]FIG. 3 is a perspective view thereof showing a two standoffcombination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The above described drawing figures illustrate the invention inat least one of its preferred embodiments, which is further defined indetail in the following description.

[0027] The present invention is an apparatus enabled for, beingilluminated and comprises an apparatus base 10 preferably made of awood, metal, plastic or glass substance, and having a recessed surface20 as shown in FIG. 1. The recessed surface 20 provides a means forenabling 30 the base to be mounted in parallel to a wall surface (notshown), such as the two mounting holes shown. The surface 20 alsoprovides a fastener 40 oriented normally to it, as shown. The fastener40 provides a cap engagement means 44 at a distal end thereof. A lighttransmissive cylindrical sidewall 50 rests directly on the recessedsurface 20 within a close-fitting peripheral edge 22 thereby closing oneend of the cylindrical sidewall 50. A rubber gasket 24 may be fitted toeach of a top and bottom edges of the sidewall 50 as shown in FIG. 1. Acap 60 is adapted with a rim 62 engaged directly within the cylindricalsidewall 50 for closure of a second end of the cylindrical sidewall.With the base 10, sidewall 50 and cap 60 assembled, the rubber gaskets24 maintain a watertight assembly. The cap 60 provides, a first 64 andsecond 66 engagement means. The first engagement means 64 engages thecap engagement means 44 with screw 42, thereby holding the cap 60securely directly to the cylindrical sidewall 50 and the cylindricalsidewall directly to the base 10 as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thesecond engagement means 66 is fixed to a horizontally oriented rod 70for removably holding a bathroom utility element such as a towel (FIG.3) or roll of tissue (not shown). A means for illumination, such aslight bulb 80 is mounted in a socket 81 through the base 10 and providesillumination through the cylindrical sidewall 50 and the cap 60 forilluminating a space such as a bathroom or toilet and may be useful as anight-light or for decoration.

[0028] Preferably, the cap engagement means 44 of the fastener 40 is astud with internal threaded end.

[0029] Preferably, the cylindrical sidewall 50 is made of transparentglass which may be translucent or transparent and may have a non-planarexterior surface such as is shown in the figures, and has preferablyfacetted surfaces as shown. The rod 70 may be adapted by length anddiameter for draping a towel or securing a tissue roll thereupon. Theentire structure of the standoff may be square, rectangular, round oroval, etc. as desired, including the peripheral edge 22, the cylindricalsidewall 50, the cap 60 and the base 10. It is noted that these threeparts are inter-engaging and self-centering so that only one axialfastener is required to assemble the invention, hold it in tightmechanical and hydraulic closure and provide support for the towel orroll fixture. Lamp 80 may be powered by a battery mounted within theapparatus or from the base 10 to which the lamp is attached by a currentcarrying wire from an external power source.

[0030] It is considered critical and novel in the above describedinvention that the base 10 receives the lamp socket 81 therethrough in anormal orientation so that the lamp is able to illuminate the sidewall50 with a minimum of shadowing with only a single lamp or light source.Clearly, the use of two such standoffs as described above provide anovel towel or tissue roll holding means with illumination projectedfrom both. Such lighting is beneficial during nighttime bathroom visitswhen it is not satisfactory to turn on a bright light. The lightingenables one to see the towel or tissue without difficulty and withoutspoiling night vision.

[0031] The enablements described in detail above are considered novelover the prior art of record and are considered critical to theoperation of the instant invention and to the achievement of the abovedescribed objectives. The words used in this specification to describethe invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not onlyin the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include byspecial definition in this specification: structure, material or actsbeyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an elementcan be understood in the context of this specification as including morethan one meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic toall possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word orwords describing the element.

[0032] The definitions of the words or elements of this describedinvention and its various embodiments are, therefore, defined in thisspecification to include not only the combination of elements which areliterally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts forperforming substantially the same function in substantially the same wayto obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is thereforecontemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements maybe made for any one of the elements in the invention and its variousembodiments or that a single element may be substituted for two or moreelements in a claim.

[0033] Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a personwith ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, areexpressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope of theinvention and its various embodiments. Therefore, obvious substitutionsnow or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined tobe within the scope of the defined elements. The invention and itsvarious embodiments are thus to be understood to include what isspecifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptuallyequivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what essentiallyincorporates the essential idea of the invention.

[0034] While the invention has been described with reference to at leastone preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by thoseskilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather,the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction withthe appended claims and it is made clear, here, that the inventor(s)believe that the claimed subject matter is the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An illuminated standoff apparatus comprising: anapparatus base enabled for mounting in parallel to a wall surface; afastener engaged normally with the base and extending away from the baseand the wall surface, the fastener terminally providing a cap engagementmeans; a right cylindrical light transmissive sidewall resting, at oneopen end thereof, directly on the base, the base thereby closing the oneend of the cylindrical sidewall; a light transmissive cap engageddirectly with the cylindrical sidewall and closing a second open end ofthe cylindrical sidewall, the cap providing, a first and a secondengagement means, the first engagement means engaging the fastener,thereby: a) holding the cap directly on the cylindrical sidewall, and b)holding the cylindrical sidewall against the base; the second engagementmeans receiving a bathroom utility element; and a source of illuminationproviding a lamp socket mounted in the apparatus base and extendingtherethrough for electrical interconnection therewith from the wallsurface, the source of illumination electrically contacting the lampsocket and extending normally from the lamp socket for transmittinglight through the cylindrical sidewall for illuminating a space.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the cap engagement means of the fastener isa stud with internal threaded end.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe cylindrical sidewall is made of one of transparent and translucentglass.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the cylindrical sidewall ismade of a glass having a faceted surface.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the bathroom utility element is one of a rod adapted for drapinga towel thereover, and a tissue roll holder.
 6. An illuminated standoffapparatus comprising: a pair of apparatus bases, each enabled formounting in parallel to a wall surface, the bases positioned in spacedapart positions; a pair of fasteners, each engaged normally with one ofthe bases and extending away therefrom and from the wall surface, thefasteners each terminally providing a cap engagement means; a pair ofright cylindrical light transmissive sidewalls, each resting, at oneopen end thereof, directly on one of the bases, the bases therebyclosing the one end of each of the cylindrical sidewalls; a pair oflight transmissive caps, each engaged directly with one of thecylindrical sidewalls and closing a second open end thereof, the capseach providing, a first and a second engagement means, the firstengagement means engaging the fasteners, thereby: c) holding the capsdirectly on the cylindrical sidewalls, and d) holding the cylindricalsidewalls against the bases; the second engagement means of each of thecaps receiving a bathroom utility element, securing the utility elementbetween the caps; and a pair of sources of illumination each providing alamp socket mounted in one of the apparatus bases and extendingtherethrough for electrical interconnection therewith from the wallsurface, the sources of illumination electrically contacting the lampsockets and extending normally from the lamp sockets for transmittinglight through the cylindrical sidewalls for illuminating a space.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6 wherein the cap engagement means of each of thefasteners is a stud with internal threaded end.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 6 wherein the cylindrical sidewalls are made of one of transparentand translucent glass.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein thecylindrical sidewalls are made of a glass having a faceted surface. 10.The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the bathroom utility element is one ofa rod adapted for draping a towel thereover, and a tissue roll holder.